Police investigate homicide east of Strip

Las Vegas police are investigating a fatal shooting that occurred Sunday night east of the Strip.

Lt. Jason Johansson said officers were called to the 600 block of Sierra Vista Drive, near East Desert Inn Road and South University Center Drive, at 10:59 p.m. Officers found a man who had been shot multiple times. He was taken to Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center, where he died.

The Clark County coroner’s office later identified the victim as Dwayne Vernell, 64, of Las Vegas. He died from multiple shotgun wounds in what has been categorized as a homicide.

Johansson said witnesses reported to officers that a man was seen running into an apartment complex west of where the shooting occurred. Police briefly detained a man at the scene but later released him.

“We have since ruled that person out as a suspect,” Johansson said, adding, “We have no idea what sparked this.”

Anyone with information on the killing may contact police at 702-828-3521 or by email at homicide@lvmpd.com. Tipsters who wish to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 702-385-5555.

Contact Glenn Puit at gpuit@reviewjournal.com. Follow @GlennatRJ on Twitter.